Slug stripper mechanism



Oct. 30, 1962 R. s. BROWN ETAL SLUG STRIPPER MECHANISM n M ,n M m Wg a .m R m m. m m #im www z s Filed Nov. 27, 1957 ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 R. s. BROWN ErAL 3,060,777

SLUG STRIPPER MECHANISM Filed Nov. 27, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mavim.

RAYS. BROWN and JOHN J. BR/SCOE Arromvsrs' United States Patent Oiilce 3,,777 Patented Got. 30, 1962 3,660,777 SLUG STRIPPER MECHAWSM Ray S. Brown, Cohnnbus, 1nd., and John J. Briscoe,

Chicago, ill., assignors to Fastener Corporation, Frauklin Park, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 27, 1957, Ser. No. 699,321 9 Claims. (Cl. 83-167) The present invention relates to a slug stripper mechanism, and more particularly to a compact subassembly adapted for use with a composing room saw, such as used inthe graphic arts industries, for converting such saw to a slug stripper for stripping type from slugs.

ln the graphic arts industry saw ytrimming machines have been extensively used for many years. These machines have been used in the printing industry for sawing Linotype or Monotype printing slugs, strip material, rule, etc. to size, and so that the ends thereof are square and smooth. The size usually is designated in picas and points, the printers measuring unit. An example of such saw (well known in the trade) is disclosed in Nelson Patent No. 1,821,569, granted in 1931. Such saws are in extensive use in most printing establishments. ln the printing trade, stripping of slugs or type castings is used to save mortising time, simplify plate corrections, and solve special composition problems. Consequently, means are necessary to strip the type face from the base of the slugs, and sometimes it is also desirable to surface the type face by cutting a very thin skin or slice from the edge thereof. There are on the market machines known as slug strippers which are expensive and have a cost of the yorder of that of the conventional composing room saws. Such slug strippers include a saw, waste receptacle, movable table, clamp and the like. Actually, most of these elements are already included in the conventional cornposing room saw. It would be desirable to provide a simple and inexpensive assembly or attachment by which a conventional saw, such as used in the graphic arts industry, could perform the dual function of both a saw and a slug stripper. It will be appreciated that such an attachment for an existing saw used in the printing industry should be capable of stripping the several types of'slugs used in the printing trade to the designated thickness required for (l) zines, (2) half tones, and (3) electrotypes or stereo casts, each of which has slightly different dimensions. An inexpensive attachment for converting a conventional saw such as used in the printing industry, for dual use, sawing and stripping, would be a great boon, particularly to the small printing shop where the expense of additional equipment is an important factor and also where space for the equipment may be an important factor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mechanism for readily converting a composing room saw or the like, such as used in the printing trade, for dual use for both sawing and stripping` It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple and compact slug stripper attachment for printing saws.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an attachment `for accurately holding slugs to be stripped or the like.

It is still another object of the presen-t invention to provide a slug stripper attachment for printing saws which is of sturdy construction, which provides full protection for the operator using the same, which may readily be adapted for use with any printing saws now in existence,

and which will give many years of foolproof service.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty `which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this spec-ification.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the slug stripper attachrnent of the present invention shown associated with a well-known commercial printers saw, only a portion of which saw is shown in FIG. l;

PEG. 2 is a top view, with certain portions cut away, of the slug stripper attachment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the slug stripper attachment of FIG. 2 with certain portions cut away;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 3, assuming that FIG. 3 shows the complete structure, and showing a fragment of the saw with which the attachment is used;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5 of FlG. 3, again assuming that FIG. 3 shows the complete structure, and also showing a portion of the associated saw; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the slug stripper attachment of the present invention.

The slug stripper attachment of the present invention is adapted for use with all so-called composing room or printers saws. Most of these saws have a movable worktable with which there is associated a gauge and a locking device so that the slugs may be clamped between the gauge on the locking device. This same gauge and locking device is utilized to clamp the slug stripper attachment of the present invention to the movable table whereby the saw or cutting means already present in the printers saw may be used to perform the slug stripping operation. Thus, with the present invention the slug stripper attachment essentialljl comprises a clamping means for accurately holding the slugs whereby the features of the printers saw, such as the movable table, the cutting means and the like are employed to perform the slug stripping operation. It will be apparent that such features as the movable table and saw are the expensive components of a slug stripping device, and with the present invention these are eliminated -from the slug stripper attachment since they are already included in the printers saw. Consequently, the slug stripping device is obtained at a very low cost compared with prior art devices.

Since printers saws are well known in the art, only the salient portions thereof will be described in connection with the present invention. Preferably, the saw may be substantially identical with that disclosed in Nelson Patent No. 1,821,569, which saw employs the gauge device of Nelson Patent No. 1,867,922. As illustrated in the drawings and in accordance with the disclosure of the aforesaid Nelson patents, there is disclosed a composing room Saw generally designated at 9, which comprises a slidable table 10 and an associated rotatable circular saw 1-1. 'Ihe table 10 is disposed in a horizontal position and is readily slidable in a horizontal plane along suitable table guides, not

. shown but fully disclosed in one of the above-mentioned Nelson patents. The edge 16a of table 10 is adapted to be moved past the saw 11 so that work supported on the table lil may be cut or trimmed by the saw.

The table 10 is provided with the conventional gauge bar 12, only a small portion of which is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 so as not to hide the construction of the attachment of the present invention. This gauge bar 12 is suitably fixed to the table 10 by means not shown. However, the gauge bar 12 may be identical in every respect with that shown in Nelson Patent No. 1,867,922.

i cular saw `11 then Y 'to the Ytable V10 occurs.

The Ytable Y is also provided with a work holding device 13, only a small portion of which vis shown in FIG. 1 'of the` drawings. This work holdingV device may be identical with that shown in-either of the above-mentioned Nelson patents, and provides and includes a readily releasable means for clamping work between the gauge bar Y V.12 and the locking Vdevice 13. Although not`disclosed in either of the above-mentioned Nelson patents, the table 10 is preferably provided with an accurately dened groove 14 extending parallel with and closely adjacent to the edge 10a thereof, and also generally parallel with the circular saw 11. The locking device 13 may be provided with means cooperating with the groove 14 so as to accurately guide it with respect to the edge 10a of the table 10 adjacent the saw 11. Although forming no part :of the present invention, the saw 11, as is disclosed in the above-mentioned Nelson Patent No. 1,821,569, is 'drivingly mounted on a shaft 11a which is driven by a suitable prime mover, not shown. A suitable shaft housing or arbor 15 is disposed to the side of the saw 11 remote from the table 10, and inraccordance with the disvclosure of Nelson Patent No. 1,821,569` the saw 11 and associated shaft 11a and arbor 15 are movable as a unit Y in a vertical'direction. It is qui-te common for such saw 9 Vto be provided with what is termed a side table, not

tion, such saw usually also includes accurately formed trimming knives on one side thereof, which are vused to trim material after being Vcut by the saw.V During'a slug 'stripping operation these ytrimming knives are not used and, hence, the saw yis moved to its illustrated lower position Where the side table, not shown, over the arbor 15 is substantially iiush with the movable table 10. The eirprojects only arshort distance above the tabley 410. Y Y Y IIn accordance with the present Vinvention there is pro- I vided a slug stripper attachment generally designated by the'reference numeral 16, which is a unitary assembly adapted to be supported on the table 10 and clamped between the gauge bar 12 and the locking device 13. The

slug stripper attachment 16 is provided with means for accurately holding or clamping the slugs to be stripped so that upon moving the table V10 with the slug stripper attachment supported. thereon past the saw 11 the desired slug stripping operation will be performed.

Considering now the slug stripper attachment 16 of vthe present invention in detail, it comprises aV base memjbfer 117 which is the mainY supporting member of the attachmentj16 and which is adapted to 4be clamped between the gauge bar 12.A and the locking device 13 with its longitudinal axis parallel with the edge 10a of table 10. Where the lprinters saw to which the slug stripper attachment 16 of the present invention is Vapplied is one having a groove 14 in the table VY10,V as described above, the base 17Y is 'provided with a keyor longitudinally extending-pro- 'jection 17a Yaccurately defined so that when inserted into Vthe groove l14 accurate positioning of the base 17 relative Y As illustrated, the member 17a yis indicated vas a separate element'inserted into a recess in-the baseg17. Y'It will be appreciated that the member Y17a might be an integral projection ofthe base 17 suitably Vmachined therefrom for accurately positioning the base i177 in the groove 14 and consequently accurately Vprositining'the'base 17V with respect to the edge 10a of the tableY 10. As illustrated, theY edge 10a of the table 10 g is Y flush withV the corresponding edge of the base 17.

1 Wherejthe` existing printers saw, with which the slug stripper attachment 16 of the present invention is to Ybe the table 10. These openings and the pins can be accurately dened so as properly to position the base 17 relative to the edge 10a o-f the table `10. The speciic means for accurately correlating or positioning the base 17 relative to the table 10 may take any form, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The base 17, in accordance with the present invention, actually function in addition to a support as one jaw lof a clamp for holding the slugs which are to be stripped for a purpose to be described in greater detail hereinafter. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings, the base 17 along the edge thereof which isrush with the edge 10a of the table 10 is provided with a suitable recess 18 having a depth of the `order of one-half inch, and having a width and length of the order of an inch. This recess will accommodate relatively thick, short single type castings from which the type face is to be stripped, as `con trasted with the elongated relativelyY thin slugs.

ln 'order to provide a suitable clamping means for 'the slugs to be stripped, the base 17 is provided with an extension 17h, whichV preferably is integrally formed with the base 17. The extension 17h supports a suitable post 19 secured to the base in any suitable manner, as indicated at 19a, serving as a pivotV supportvfor a pivotally mounted adjustable clamping jaw 26). As illustrated, the Vpost 19 is bifurcated so as to receive between the bifurcations thereof the extension 29a of the jaw 20 which is pivoted thereto by a pivot pin 21. Secured to the end of the clamping jaw 2t) remote from-the pivot pin 21 is an elongated clamping member 22 whereby a suitable slug of type to be stripped, such as is indicated at 24, may be clamped betweenthe clamping member 22 and the base 17; The clamping member 22 may be secured tothe clamping jaw 243 in any suitable manner, such as by rivets 25 or the like. Moreovenand asrillustr'ated in FIGS. 1 and ..4 of the drawings, the clamping member 22 preferably .provides a serrated Vconvex clamping surface to assure good clamping action.

' For the purposeY of Vproviding the necessaryclamping force, an adjustablerclamping screw 27 vis provided, which extends through a suitable opening 28 dened in the clamping jaw 2G and threadedly engages a tapped opening 29 ,defined in the extension 17b`of thevbase .17. The clamping screw 27 is provided with an enlarged `shoulder 27a so that by adjusting the screw 27 the desired clamping force can be produced :so as toV clamp a slug of type, such asYK 24, between the clamping' member 22 and the Ybase 17. To insure proper clamping 'action' regardless of the thickness of the slug or element to be clamped, the upper end of the opening 28 in jaw V20 is counterboredrto 'accommodate a washer 26 which is rounded at the bottom and cooperates with a similarly rounded `bottonrin the counter-bore. Preferably, a suitable compression spring 30 is provided between the eXtension 17b of the base 17 and the clamping jaw 20 to move the jaw 20 to the nonclamping position as permitted by the adjustment of adjusting screw 27. `Preferably and as illustrated, the compression spring 30 is concentrically arranged with the clamping Yscrew 27, although any Aother Ysuitable spring means might be employed.

-Even though'rthe means such as the rib 17a engageable with the groove 14`accurat'ely positions the base V17 relative to the table-10, properly :torrelate the saw 11 so itis accurately parallel with the rear edge ofthe slug of type to be stripped so as to perform an accurateslug stripping operation, the base 17 is preferably provided with a pair of spaced adjustable stop members generally designated as 31 and '32, respectively. Thesefstop members are'identical, each of which comprises a vertical support 33 secured to the baseV 17 as by screw 34, one on either side of Vthe extension 17b, as best shown Vin FIG. 1A of the drawings. l The supports 31 are provided-with meansr 4for accommodating the adjusting screws Y35 whose axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal axes Vof the baser17. As illustrated, the adjusting Yscrews 35 Iare each provided with a lock nut 36 so that when the desired adjustment is obtained the lock nut will insure that the adjusting screws remain in the selectively fixed position. It will be understood that when lthe slug stripper attachment 16 is associated with the saw 11 an initial adjustment of the screws 35 is necessary to insure proper relationship of the saw 11 with the slug stripper attachment. Once this adjustment has been made, however, numerous slug stripping operations can be made without further adjustment, since by virtue of groove 14 and cooperating projection 17a the attachment 16 will always be replaced in the same manner relative to the saw 11.

As was mentioned earlier, three sizes of stripped slugs or type are commonly employed depending upon whether the particular plant employs zinc plates, stereo casts or electrotype, and it is necessary in some small shops to use all three. Accordingly, there is provided a gauge 40, as best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, which includes a plurality of pairs of equally spaced surfaces 40a, 4Gb and 40e. These surfaces of each pair are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between adjusting screws 35. A particular pair of surfaces is thus selectively rendered effective to engage screws 35 dependent solely upon the position of the gauge 40 relative to the length of the base 1'7. As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, gauge 40 is positioned so that the surfaces 40e are rendered effective, which results in stripping the thinnest type face required. When the surfaces 4h41 are effective, slugs of an intermediate thickness will be stripped, and when the surfaces 4Gb are effective, the thickest slugs will be stripped. Thus, with one adjustment of the adjusting screws 35 for a particular slug, the use of the gauge 40 will insure correct slug stripping for the other desired sizes. Preferably the gauge 40 is in the form of a magnet so that it will remain in position when so placed. I f desired, the screws 35 could be provided with magnets in the ends thereof to attract and hold the gauge 4i) in position. In this latter case, gauge 40 need not be a magnet.

The type face which is stripped from the slugs 24 may be cemented or otherwise secured on some suitable base for a subsequent printing operation, and it is consequently desirable to retain the type face which is removed from the slug. To this end there is provided a receiving tray 42 which is suitably supported from a pair of support members 43 and 44 secured to the base 17. As illustrated, each of the supports 44 and 43 comprises a U-shaped portion so as to provide clearance space for the saw blade 11 when the table 10 moves past the saw. This U-shaped portion has a lateral projection to which the tray 42 is secured by suitable rivets or the like. Preferably, one leg of each support 43 and 44 is received in a suitable opening in the top of base 17, and secured thereto by means such as set screws 45. The support 44 is provided with a suitable extension 44a, illustrated as terminating in a hook portion 44h. This hook 4417 serves as a suitable support whereby the slug stripping attachment 16 may be suitably hung on the Wall or the like when not in use. The extension 44a, however, performs another important function. As was pointed out earlier, the saw 11 and its associated arbor 15 may be moved vertically relative to the table 10, and in certain sawing operations is raised substantially above the position shown in FIG. l of the drawings. However, when in this raised position, the saw 11 cannot be used with the slug stripper attachment 16, and to insure the proper position of the saw 11 when the slug stripping attachment 16 is associated with the table the extension 44a serves as a safety device. In other words, if the saw 11 and associated arbor 15 are raised above the position which would interfere with proper operation relative to the slug stripping attachment 16, then, as the table 10 is moved relative to the saw 11, the extension 44a, and specifically the hook portion 44h thereof, will engage the arbor 15 and preclude further movement of the table 1)k relative to the saw 11 until the saw is lowered to the proper position indicated in the drawings.

For the purpose of protecting the operator from liying chips and at the same time permitting ready viewing of the slug stripping operation, there is provided a transparent chip guard 46 which is illustrated as of arcuate shape supported by the U-shaped supports 43 and 44, as clearly shown in the drawings. This transparent guard 46 may be secured in any suitable manner to the supports 43 and 44, such as by fastening means `47. The guard 46 terminates suiiciently above the tray 4Z to aiord ready access to this tray by the operator to remove the stripped type face. Preferably also, the end of the slug stripper attachment 16 adjacent the gauge 12 is provided with a transparent guard 48 Which has a suitable slot 49 therein to permit the saw 11 to move freely therethrough when the table 1G is moved relative to the saw 11 during a slug stripping operation.

-It will be apparent that the clamping jaw 20 has sutcient clearance for slugs of type such as 24. Occasionally, however, a type support may be relatively thick, particularly when associated with a single large letter o r the like. The clearance for a thick support such as this is not sufficient with the clamping arrangement shown, and to provide sufcient clearance would require a relatively complicated structure. However, by providing the recess 18 described above a relatively thick, short support can be inserted into this recess and clamped by the clamping jaw `.0 and clamping member 2.2 during a stripping operation. This recess 18 being relatively short in the direction of the length of the clamping member 22 will not interfere with the clamping of a slug of type such as 24. Y

From the above discussion it will also be apparent that the slug stripping attachment of the present invention can be used as a surfacer whereby a very thin surface of the slug may be cut olf.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the present invention will readily be understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herewith. The slug stripping attachment 16 is designed so as to -be accurately orientated with respect to the worktable 10, so that, in effect, the ordinary printers saw 4becomes a slug stripper when the attachment 16 is associated therewith. Furthermore, with the attachment 16 slugs of different sizes may -be accurately positioned relative to the saw -11 so as to perform an Vaccurate slug stripping operation.

While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it is not desired that the invention be limited to the specific construction shown and described, for it will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. 'Ihe combination with a printers saw having a rotatable saw blade, a table movable relative to said saw and clamp means for holding work to be saWed, of a slug holding means comprising an assembly, means for accurately positioning said assembly relative to said table and consequently relative to said saw, said clamp means holding said assembly fixed in said table, said assembly comprising a base, a clamp on said base, adjustable means on said base for accurately positioning slugs to be held by said clamp, U-shaped support means secured to said base, a chip guard secured to said U-shaped support means and a receiving tray secured to said U-shaped support means below said clamp and closely adjacent said saw blade for receiving type cut from said slugs.

2. A slug stripper for converting a printers saw of the type having a saw and table movable lrelative to each other during a sawing operation to a slug stripping saw, comprising, a base member, means for accurately posi- -tiojning said base member relative`to the table of said printersjs-aw, an adjustable clamp on'said base member, adjustable means on said base member for; accurately positioning slugs to-be clamped, and means on said attachment for preventing a slug stripping operationunless said saw is in a predetermined position relative to said movable table. Y Y Y u n 3. The combination with a printers saw having a vertically adjustable rotatable saw blade, a table movable -relative to said saw and clamp means for holding work to be sawed, of a slug'holding means comprising an assembly, means for accurately positioning said assembly relativerto said table and consequently relative to said saw, said clamp means holding said assembly fixed in said table,tsaid assemblyY comprising a base, a clamp on said base, adjustable means on said base for accurately positioning slugs relative to said base to be held Iby Asaid clamp, and means onY said assembly for preventing movementof said table relativeV to said saw unless said saw is in a predetermined vertical position. Y

4. A slug stripper for converting a printers saw, of the type having a table with associated clamp means and a saw movable-relative toV each other during ra sawing operation, to a slug stripping saw, comprising, a base member, means for accurately positioning said base member relative to the table of said printers saw, an adjustable clamp on said base member, said clamp means securvingV -said Vslug lstripper to said table accurately positioned by said last mentioned means, adjustable means on said base member for accurately positioning slugs to be clamped, Vsupport means on said `base member, a chip g guard mountedon said support means, and a `horizontally disposedjtr'fay also mounted on said support means, said lhorizontally disposed tray being positioned below-said adjustable clamp and closely adjacent to saidrsaw whereby cut portions of said slugs drop into said tray upon completion of the cutting action.

5. The slug stripper of claim 4 wherein said adjustable clamp comprises a pivotally mounted member.

l 6. 'Ihe slug stripper of claim 4 wherein said base member includes a recess for receiving thick members to be clamped by said adjustable clamp.

7. The combination of claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means also serves as a handle for supporting said lassembly when said slug holding means is not held by said clamp holding means.

58. YThe slug stripper of claim 4 wherein said support means are of inverted U-shape and said chip guard is curved transparent and of inverted U-shape and positioned to cover clamped slugs. Y

' 9. 'Ihe combination of claim 4 wherein said means for accurately positioning said base member relative to said table comprises a projection on 'said base member and a cooperating groove in said table.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 906,385 Christians Deo. 8, 1908 1,272,235 Y Lamphei'e July 23, 1918 1,288,112 Minnis Dec. ,17, '1918 `1,379,878 Rollnt May 31, 1921 2,202,434 Seybold May 28, Y194'() 2,218,470 Henderson Oct. 15, 1940 I 2,379,370 Metz .Tune 26, 1945 2,386,014 Takac 06h72, ,1945 2,477,297 Giles et a1. July 26, 1949 72,520,837' Hammond Aug. 29, 1950 2,546,196 Morrison et a1. V Mar. 27, 1951 2,655,959 Krueger et a1. Oct. 20, 1953 2,752,538 Anderson l Y June 2'6, 1956 Mack Dec. 11, 1956 

